Sandra Yaffie Weinstein, '60

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At a time when few women were in the sciences, Sandra Yaffie Weinstein ’60 trail-blazed an impressive multi-decade career in chemistry. Weinstein’s career was catalyzed by her relationship with Chemistry Professor Emeritus John Timm, who inspired Weinstein to pursue chemistry. “He was my mentor,” said Weinstein. “Because of Professor Timm, I became a chemistry major. He was an excellent teacher and a source of great support.”

In honor of her mentor, Weinstein recently established the Sandra Yaffie Weinstein ’60 Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Professor John A. Timm with a $100,000 commitment. Priority is given to potential recipients who are chemistry majors. She timed the gift to coincide with her 50th reunion.

“It was a big event,” she said, “and I wanted to do something for Simmons. I attribute the success I enjoyed in my career and in my life to my parents, my family, Professor Timm, and to my Simmons education.”

After graduating from Simmons, Weinstein received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Brandeis University, where she stayed on to conduct post-doctoral research. Her career culminated in a two-decade professorship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. For her work in the school’s biochemistry department, Weinstein received the University of Texas Presidential Award for Teaching.

Weinstein knows the value of scholarships first-hand: during her time at Brandeis, she received many grants and fellowships that helped her through the Ph.D. program. “The support was wonderful and I was very appreciative,” she said. “By helping a student, as I was helped, I hope she goes on to have a great career and is able, in turn, to help others in the future.”

Weinstein lives in San Antonio, Texas. She and her husband Martin have three children and four grandchildren.